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John Mayer’s Top 10 Rules For Success (@JohnMayer)


dinner and then going to the top of the

dinner and then going to the top of the roof and screaming I made it so I’m

roof and screaming I made it so I’m

roof and screaming I made it so I’m really excited about the idea of people

really excited about the idea of people

really excited about the idea of people going oh no that’s him and then he shows

going oh no that’s him and then he shows

going oh no that’s him and then he shows up at the Pentagon and he’s totally

up at the Pentagon and he’s totally

up at the Pentagon and he’s totally clean shave and he’s like where do we

clean shave and he’s like where do we

clean shave and he’s like where do we start I don’t think you could expect a

start I don’t think you could expect a

start I don’t think you could expect a 21 year old kid to stay a 21 year old

21 year old kid to stay a 21 year old

21 year old kid to stay a 21 year old kid when he’s 31 I didn’t say like I’m

kid when he’s 31 I didn’t say like I’m

kid when he’s 31 I didn’t say like I’m gonna quit music and you know I don’t

gonna quit music and you know I don’t

gonna quit music and you know I don’t smoke crack you know there’s a little

smoke crack you know there’s a little

smoke crack you know there’s a little bit of murder involved in in art who we

bit of murder involved in in art who we

bit of murder involved in in art who we generally jammed on II for an hour this

generally jammed on II for an hour this

generally jammed on II for an hour this is not a broken version of success this

is not a broken version of success this

is not a broken version of success this is the new version of success I want to

is the new version of success I want to

is the new version of success I want to listen to top 20 and figure out what’s

listen to top 20 and figure out what’s

listen to top 20 and figure out what’s going on I don’t want to fall behind

going on I don’t want to fall behind

going on I don’t want to fall behind it’s gonna be a hit it’s going to be a

it’s gonna be a hit it’s going to be a

it’s gonna be a hit it’s going to be a hit it’s going to be a hint it goes like

hit it’s going to be a hint it goes like

hit it’s going to be a hint it goes like this he’s an American singer-songwriter

this he’s an American singer-songwriter

this he’s an American singer-songwriter and producer by 2014 he had sold over 20

and producer by 2014 he had sold over 20

and producer by 2014 he had sold over 20 million albums worldwide his secondary

million albums worldwide his secondary

million albums worldwide his secondary career pursuits include television

career pursuits include television

career pursuits include television hosting comedy and writing he’s John

hosting comedy and writing he’s John

hosting comedy and writing he’s John Mayer and here are his top 10 rules for

Mayer and here are his top 10 rules for

Mayer and here are his top 10 rules for success number one thing you have to do

success number one thing you have to do

success number one thing you have to do before you set out on any other goal or

before you set out on any other goal or

before you set out on any other goal or any other course is to define your

any other course is to define your

any other course is to define your expectations number one thing on the

expectations number one thing on the

expectations number one thing on the outset of every single project record

outset of every single project record

outset of every single project record tour define your expectations everyone

tour define your expectations everyone

tour define your expectations everyone in this room wants to make it but I

in this room wants to make it but I

in this room wants to make it but I question how you would recognize making

question how you would recognize making

question how you would recognize making it what is making it well what do you

it what is making it well what do you

it what is making it well what do you want to be who you in here wants a

want to be who you in here wants a

want to be who you in here wants a record deal would it be nice to ever be

record deal would it be nice to ever be

record deal would it be nice to ever be nice to have a record deal right we want

nice to have a record deal right we want

nice to have a record deal right we want to record to you okay well what does a

to record to you okay well what does a

to record to you okay well what does a record deal look like how what is making

record deal look like how what is making

record deal look like how what is making it look like do you want to sell a

it look like do you want to sell a

it look like do you want to sell a million copies two million copies well

million copies two million copies well

million copies two million copies well okay let’s say selling two million

okay let’s say selling two million

okay let’s say selling two million copies is like selling tell me 10

copies is like selling tell me 10

copies is like selling tell me 10 million copies 10 years ago so let’s say

million copies 10 years ago so let’s say

million copies 10 years ago so let’s say you say to yourself my expectation is

you say to yourself my expectation is

you say to yourself my expectation is that I want to be an artist and I want

that I want to be an artist and I want

that I want to be an artist and I want to put records out and I want to sell

to put records out and I want to sell

to put records out and I want to sell millions of copies if that’s your

millions of copies if that’s your

millions of copies if that’s your expectation great then you sort of skip

expectation great then you sort of skip

expectation great then you sort of skip straight to another questionnaire you

straight to another questionnaire you

straight to another questionnaire you know okay if you answered yes to do I

know okay if you answered yes to do I

know okay if you answered yes to do I want to be a pop star do I want to make

want to be a pop star do I want to make

want to be a pop star do I want to make music for as many people as possible now

music for as many people as possible now

music for as many people as possible now you have to sort of change your game to

you have to sort of change your game to

you have to sort of change your game to fit the expectation you now have to

fit the expectation you now have to

fit the expectation you now have to wonder about is your song shorter than

wonder about is your song shorter than

wonder about is your song shorter than four minutes do you get to your core is

four minutes do you get to your core is

four minutes do you get to your core is fast enough these are these are the

fast enough these are these are the

fast enough these are these are the things you have to add

things you have to add

things you have to add silly do and you also have to compromise

silly do and you also have to compromise

silly do and you also have to compromise and you also have to play the game and

and you also have to play the game and

and you also have to play the game and by defining your expectations if you

by defining your expectations if you

by defining your expectations if you decide that you want to be a pop star

decide that you want to be a pop star

decide that you want to be a pop star that’s not a dirty word it just mean pop

that’s not a dirty word it just mean pop

that’s not a dirty word it just mean pop just means popular Frank Sinatra was a

just means popular Frank Sinatra was a

just means popular Frank Sinatra was a pop star Jimi Hendrix was a pop star

pop star Jimi Hendrix was a pop star

pop star Jimi Hendrix was a pop star lots of people would pop stars

lots of people would pop stars

lots of people would pop stars what kind of pop star lots people with

what kind of pop star lots people with

what kind of pop star lots people with jazz musicians what kind of jazz

jazz musicians what kind of jazz

jazz musicians what kind of jazz musician you can define the genre any

musician you can define the genre any

musician you can define the genre any way you want so if you said you want to

way you want so if you said you want to

way you want so if you said you want to be a pop star then you have to look at

be a pop star then you have to look at

be a pop star then you have to look at your songs there’s also people here who

your songs there’s also people here who

your songs there’s also people here who are little dishonest about what they

are little dishonest about what they

are little dishonest about what they really want to be and I think if you

really want to be and I think if you

really want to be and I think if you want to be famous

want to be famous

want to be famous if you want to make music for as many

if you want to make music for as many

if you want to make music for as many people as possible just come out and say

people as possible just come out and say

people as possible just come out and say it

it

it don’t say I want to be indie I’m just

don’t say I want to be indie I’m just

don’t say I want to be indie I’m just going to be an independent artist and

going to be an independent artist and

going to be an independent artist and really secretly wish that you wanted to

really secretly wish that you wanted to

really secretly wish that you wanted to be a pop star

be a pop star

be a pop star because from think from them from the

because from think from them from the

because from think from them from the very beginning it’s disingenuous there’s

very beginning it’s disingenuous there’s

very beginning it’s disingenuous there’s nothing wrong with saying I want to play

nothing wrong with saying I want to play

nothing wrong with saying I want to play music for as many people as possible

music for as many people as possible

music for as many people as possible without compromising the things that I

without compromising the things that I

without compromising the things that I have to be as an artist and that’s what

have to be as an artist and that’s what

have to be as an artist and that’s what I’ve done so many music doesn’t come

I’ve done so many music doesn’t come

I’ve done so many music doesn’t come into the studio when I’m making a record

into the studio when I’m making a record

into the studio when I’m making a record but I also know what’s going to be a hit

but I also know what’s going to be a hit

but I also know what’s going to be a hit or what stands the chance of being a hit

or what stands the chance of being a hit

or what stands the chance of being a hit and what just does it and it’s a level

and what just does it and it’s a level

and what just does it and it’s a level of honesty with yourself that you have

of honesty with yourself that you have

of honesty with yourself that you have to have before you hand your music out

to have before you hand your music out

to have before you hand your music out to anybody else so that’s sort of what I

to anybody else so that’s sort of what I

to anybody else so that’s sort of what I want to say about expectations if you

want to say about expectations if you

want to say about expectations if you only recognize success as a record deal

only recognize success as a record deal

only recognize success as a record deal and a big fat Publishers Clearing House

and a big fat Publishers Clearing House

and a big fat Publishers Clearing House oversized Tiger Woods check and a dinner

oversized Tiger Woods check and a dinner

oversized Tiger Woods check and a dinner and then going to the top of the roof

and then going to the top of the roof

and then going to the top of the roof and screaming I made it most of you will

and screaming I made it most of you will

and screaming I made it most of you will be stunning failures I’ve stayed pretty

be stunning failures I’ve stayed pretty

be stunning failures I’ve stayed pretty true to whatever my instincts are as an

true to whatever my instincts are as an

true to whatever my instincts are as an artist sometimes for worse at first

artist sometimes for worse at first

artist sometimes for worse at first because I think when you do something

because I think when you do something

because I think when you do something that’s out of the norm you have to keep

that’s out of the norm you have to keep

that’s out of the norm you have to keep doing it for a little while to make it

doing it for a little while to make it

doing it for a little while to make it your own norm so it’s an exciting idea

your own norm so it’s an exciting idea

your own norm so it’s an exciting idea to me that I could be putting a record

to me that I could be putting a record

to me that I could be putting a record out and being able to be my own person

out and being able to be my own person

out and being able to be my own person to not have to think about what I can’t

to not have to think about what I can’t

to not have to think about what I can’t say or can’t do

say or can’t do

say or can’t do because I don’t want to lose people’s

because I don’t want to lose people’s

because I don’t want to lose people’s understanding of what I do as a

understanding of what I do as a

understanding of what I do as a convention you know so I’m really

convention you know so I’m really

convention you know so I’m really excited about the idea of people going

excited about the idea of people going

excited about the idea of people going oh no that’s him that’s him I think that

oh no that’s him that’s him I think that

oh no that’s him that’s him I think that I’ve got to make a record that is the

I’ve got to make a record that is the

I’ve got to make a record that is the ultimate sort of Here I am you know so I

ultimate sort of Here I am you know so I

ultimate sort of Here I am you know so I think it’s time to go back and you know

think it’s time to go back and you know

think it’s time to go back and you know it’s like in the movies where the the

it’s like in the movies where the the

it’s like in the movies where the the ex-marine grows the long beard and long

ex-marine grows the long beard and long

ex-marine grows the long beard and long hair and takes off to like Tibet or

hair and takes off to like Tibet or

hair and takes off to like Tibet or something and then there’s always a

something and then there’s always a

something and then there’s always a moment I don’t do that anymore and then

moment I don’t do that anymore and then

moment I don’t do that anymore and then he shows up at the Pentagon and totally

he shows up at the Pentagon and totally

he shows up at the Pentagon and totally clean shave and he’s like where do we

clean shave and he’s like where do we

clean shave and he’s like where do we start

start

start I may be shaving the beard soon I’m

I may be shaving the beard soon I’m

I may be shaving the beard soon I’m getting kind of this place in my life

getting kind of this place in my life

getting kind of this place in my life where if if you can man just do it you

where if if you can man just do it you

where if if you can man just do it you know I went I had this moment where my

know I went I had this moment where my

know I went I had this moment where my youth I was really frenetic and

youth I was really frenetic and

youth I was really frenetic and everything was like button over and then

everything was like button over and then

everything was like button over and then I hit this mode where it was like less

I hit this mode where it was like less

I hit this mode where it was like less is more and now as I get into my later

is more and now as I get into my later

is more and now as I get into my later 30s I’m like if you can do it do it all

30s I’m like if you can do it do it all

30s I’m like if you can do it do it all the time you know you do it all the time

the time you know you do it all the time

the time you know you do it all the time as long as you can do it do have just

as long as you can do it do have just

as long as you can do it do have just shred show people what you can do you

shred show people what you can do you

shred show people what you can do you know so it’s a sort of this arc also of

know so it’s a sort of this arc also of

know so it’s a sort of this arc also of how fancy you think you are and find

how fancy you think you are and find

how fancy you think you are and find yourself to be you know people on the

yourself to be you know people on the

yourself to be you know people on the message boards and web sites always talk

message boards and web sites always talk

message boards and web sites always talk about he’s changing you know I don’t

about he’s changing you know I don’t

about he’s changing you know I don’t think you could expect a 21 year old kid

think you could expect a 21 year old kid

think you could expect a 21 year old kid to stay a 21 year old kid when he’s 31

to stay a 21 year old kid when he’s 31

to stay a 21 year old kid when he’s 31 so yeah

so yeah

so yeah the answer is yup change a lot you know

the answer is yup change a lot you know

the answer is yup change a lot you know not predict I will continue to change

not predict I will continue to change

not predict I will continue to change you know but that’s not a that’s not a

you know but that’s not a that’s not a

you know but that’s not a that’s not a dirty word and that’s not a dirty idea

dirty word and that’s not a dirty idea

dirty word and that’s not a dirty idea as long as that change is reflected

as long as that change is reflected

as long as that change is reflected positively and being on stage and

positively and being on stage and

positively and being on stage and playing and continuing the story I think

playing and continuing the story I think

playing and continuing the story I think I’m right in saying that was sometimes

I’m right in saying that was sometimes

I’m right in saying that was sometimes when you’ve considered quitting music is

when you’ve considered quitting music is

when you’ve considered quitting music is that true oh yeah yeah I I’ve always

that true oh yeah yeah I I’ve always

that true oh yeah yeah I I’ve always thought I there was one time in

thought I there was one time in

thought I there was one time in particular yeah and and so going on

particular yeah and and so going on

particular yeah and and so going on studying design or something’s always

studying design or something’s always

studying design or something’s always been a passion of yours yeah I like a

been a passion of yours yeah I like a

been a passion of yours yeah I like a really loved design actually I just

really loved design actually I just

really loved design actually I just finished making continuum handed it in

finished making continuum handed it in

finished making continuum handed it in and my manager played it for the head of

and my manager played it for the head of

and my manager played it for the head of the label and I was

the label and I was

the label and I was what do you say what do you say and the

what do you say what do you say and the

what do you say what do you say and the call I remember why was the call came in

call I remember why was the call came in

call I remember why was the call came in and he said oh he doesn’t hear anything

and he said oh he doesn’t hear anything

and he said oh he doesn’t hear anything on it he doesn’t hear a hit Watts wants

on it he doesn’t hear a hit Watts wants

on it he doesn’t hear a hit Watts wants you to go back and write some more stuff

you to go back and write some more stuff

you to go back and write some more stuff and I was just like how can you not hear

and I was just like how can you not hear

and I was just like how can you not hear how special this record is and I just

how special this record is and I just

how special this record is and I just thought if I can’t do that if I can’t do

thought if I can’t do that if I can’t do

thought if I can’t do that if I can’t do this I’m done you know and the record

this I’m done you know and the record

this I’m done you know and the record went on to be really really successful

went on to be really really successful

went on to be really really successful and my most successful record date I

and my most successful record date I

and my most successful record date I think and it taught me a big lesson

think and it taught me a big lesson

think and it taught me a big lesson which is like listen to someone’s record

which is like listen to someone’s record

which is like listen to someone’s record twice before yeah you give a point of

twice before yeah you give a point of

twice before yeah you give a point of view on it so now if anyone ever plays

view on it so now if anyone ever plays

view on it so now if anyone ever plays me a song I go play it again people a

me a song I go play it again people a

me a song I go play it again people a lot of times assume what it is they must

lot of times assume what it is they must

lot of times assume what it is they must be saying to you and so but that that

be saying to you and so but that that

be saying to you and so but that that day I thought I’m just going to go to

day I thought I’m just going to go to

day I thought I’m just going to go to Parsons and and I love design and I love

Parsons and and I love design and I love

Parsons and and I love design and I love where it’s heading and I want to have

where it’s heading and I want to have

where it’s heading and I want to have something to do with it and I’m still

something to do with it and I’m still

something to do with it and I’m still amateur at it but and how long did that

amateur at it but and how long did that

amateur at it but and how long did that feeling sort of a bit of disillusionment

feeling sort of a bit of disillusionment

feeling sort of a bit of disillusionment well that specific feeling

well that specific feeling

well that specific feeling disillusionment lasts for a couple days

disillusionment lasts for a couple days

disillusionment lasts for a couple days okay but then but then you take it yeah

okay but then but then you take it yeah

okay but then but then you take it yeah a couple days then you pick yourself up

a couple days then you pick yourself up

a couple days then you pick yourself up off the floor but like I didn’t say like

off the floor but like I didn’t say like

off the floor but like I didn’t say like I’m gonna quit music and you didn’t I

I’m gonna quit music and you didn’t I

I’m gonna quit music and you didn’t I don’t smoke crack I said let’s quit

don’t smoke crack I said let’s quit

don’t smoke crack I said let’s quit music and go to school which I would

music and go to school which I would

music and go to school which I would have promptly dropped out of to start my

have promptly dropped out of to start my

have promptly dropped out of to start my own design company because I have to do

own design company because I have to do

own design company because I have to do those kind of things I can’t actually

those kind of things I can’t actually

those kind of things I can’t actually follow the curriculum I just feel like

follow the curriculum I just feel like

follow the curriculum I just feel like the process of starting over again what

the process of starting over again what

the process of starting over again what you do every time you make a new record

you do every time you make a new record

you do every time you make a new record you have to kind of it’s a kind of a

you have to kind of it’s a kind of a

you have to kind of it’s a kind of a controlled demolition of what it was

controlled demolition of what it was

controlled demolition of what it was that you had and maybe I’m a little I

that you had and maybe I’m a little I

that you had and maybe I’m a little I don’t know maybe I’m covering for the

don’t know maybe I’m covering for the

don’t know maybe I’m covering for the fact that I’m frightened about how do I

fact that I’m frightened about how do I

fact that I’m frightened about how do I follow up a record with another record I

follow up a record with another record I

follow up a record with another record I don’t I demolish it and follow up with a

don’t I demolish it and follow up with a

don’t I demolish it and follow up with a new first record you know I’ve never

new first record you know I’ve never

new first record you know I’ve never made a second record in my life I make

made a second record in my life I make

made a second record in my life I make new first records you know and I’m

new first records you know and I’m

new first records you know and I’m excited too

excited too

excited too demolish continuum you know there’s a

demolish continuum you know there’s a

demolish continuum you know there’s a little bit of murder involved in in art

little bit of murder involved in in art

little bit of murder involved in in art you can’t have two little murderous you

you can’t have two little murderous you

you can’t have two little murderous you know you have to kill what it was that

know you have to kill what it was that

know you have to kill what it was that was so alive in order to find new life

was so alive in order to find new life

was so alive in order to find new life somewhere else the only way I know how

somewhere else the only way I know how

somewhere else the only way I know how to preserve myself is to start the

to preserve myself is to start the

to preserve myself is to start the process over again

process over again

process over again I really am frightened by the process of

I really am frightened by the process of

I really am frightened by the process of making a record that people really enjoy

making a record that people really enjoy

making a record that people really enjoy or react to that makes ripples in the

or react to that makes ripples in the

or react to that makes ripples in the world and then go do it again no I’ll do

world and then go do it again no I’ll do

world and then go do it again no I’ll do I’ll start from zero again that I can do

I’ll start from zero again that I can do

I’ll start from zero again that I can do to start from success and get more

to start from success and get more

to start from success and get more successful is the kind of the recipe for

successful is the kind of the recipe for

successful is the kind of the recipe for disaster the recipe for unhappiness you

disaster the recipe for unhappiness you

disaster the recipe for unhappiness you know I’m not going to ever make room for

know I’m not going to ever make room for

know I’m not going to ever make room for squares part two your heavier things

squares part two your heavier things

squares part two your heavier things part two or continuum part two you know

part two or continuum part two you know

part two or continuum part two you know it’s some other thing part one

it’s some other thing part one

it’s some other thing part one everything you learn is just raw

everything you learn is just raw

everything you learn is just raw information what you should start doing

information what you should start doing

information what you should start doing is seeing yourself as a separate being

is seeing yourself as a separate being

is seeing yourself as a separate being from anyone else in this room you each

from anyone else in this room you each

from anyone else in this room you each and every one of you now I want to go

and every one of you now I want to go

and every one of you now I want to go home and put it incorporate it after

home and put it incorporate it after

home and put it incorporate it after your name in your head you are now of

your name in your head you are now of

your name in your head you are now of being an incorporated or incorporated

being an incorporated or incorporated

being an incorporated or incorporated you are now going to take information

you are now going to take information

you are now going to take information and go oh I could use that for this and

and go oh I could use that for this and

and go oh I could use that for this and that don’t show your cards to anybody

that don’t show your cards to anybody

that don’t show your cards to anybody else some guy comes along these sounds

else some guy comes along these sounds

else some guy comes along these sounds like thinks he sounds better than maybe

like thinks he sounds better than maybe

like thinks he sounds better than maybe you do maybe you don’t but work on your

you do maybe you don’t but work on your

you do maybe you don’t but work on your thing and then you can figure out what

thing and then you can figure out what

thing and then you can figure out what makes you you

makes you you

makes you you artistically and then you can access

artistically and then you can access

artistically and then you can access information when I go into the studio

information when I go into the studio

information when I go into the studio when I sit in with an artist I’m

when I sit in with an artist I’m

when I sit in with an artist I’m accessing information I’m not access

accessing information I’m not access

accessing information I’m not access it’s like a library I go I’m going to

it’s like a library I go I’m going to

it’s like a library I go I’m going to take this out and there’s sort of like

take this out and there’s sort of like

take this out and there’s sort of like being a DJ

being a DJ

being a DJ on this this will work this will work

on this this will work this will work

on this this will work this will work but not by way of just playing

but not by way of just playing

but not by way of just playing everything and that’s what I wish people

everything and that’s what I wish people

everything and that’s what I wish people could do more I don’t know if you can do

could do more I don’t know if you can do

could do more I don’t know if you can do a real-time I don’t know maybe this is

a real-time I don’t know maybe this is

a real-time I don’t know maybe this is just the time you get everything and you

just the time you get everything and you

just the time you get everything and you worry about sort of figuring it out

worry about sort of figuring it out

worry about sort of figuring it out later but I think it’d be an interesting

later but I think it’d be an interesting

later but I think it’d be an interesting idea to look at the information learn it

idea to look at the information learn it

idea to look at the information learn it and then immediately start figuring out

and then immediately start figuring out

and then immediately start figuring out how you use it or how you don’t use it

how you use it or how you don’t use it

how you use it or how you don’t use it you know drummer is over play guitar

you know drummer is over play guitar

you know drummer is over play guitar players over play singers what we’re

players over play singers what we’re

players over play singers what we’re saying and songwriters over right so

saying and songwriters over right so

saying and songwriters over right so it’s a matter of how you begin to shape

it’s a matter of how you begin to shape

it’s a matter of how you begin to shape anybody have a jam and they Jam too much

anybody have a jam and they Jam too much

anybody have a jam and they Jam too much and they run out of ideas and they get

and they run out of ideas and they get

and they run out of ideas and they get that itchy feeling on the way home like

that itchy feeling on the way home like

that itchy feeling on the way home like I just gave up too much like they just

I just gave up too much like they just

I just gave up too much like they just somehow sort of empty I played

somehow sort of empty I played

somehow sort of empty I played everything and I saw the end of my only

everything and I saw the end of my only

everything and I saw the end of my only musical existence on the dirt I was just

musical existence on the dirt I was just

musical existence on the dirt I was just ended up in there in the rough the golf

ended up in there in the rough the golf

ended up in there in the rough the golf course I don’t know that’s that is just

course I don’t know that’s that is just

course I don’t know that’s that is just a misappropriation of what you know

a misappropriation of what you know

a misappropriation of what you know you’ve just all the sudden got in the

you’ve just all the sudden got in the

you’ve just all the sudden got in the bottom of the trick bag and there was a

bottom of the trick bag and there was a

bottom of the trick bag and there was a hole in it you just don’t know why don’t

hole in it you just don’t know why don’t

hole in it you just don’t know why don’t we Chen we jammed on E for an hour I

we Chen we jammed on E for an hour I

we Chen we jammed on E for an hour I wrote I don’t wanna bring her in the

wrote I don’t wanna bring her in the

wrote I don’t wanna bring her in the conversation I wrote this new

conversation I wrote this new

conversation I wrote this new up-and-coming Australian rapper I don’t

up-and-coming Australian rapper I don’t

up-and-coming Australian rapper I don’t want to give her name away because

want to give her name away because

want to give her name away because there’s so many of them so I just this

there’s so many of them so I just this

there’s so many of them so I just this is it

is it

is it I said don’t be upset that you’re

I said don’t be upset that you’re

I said don’t be upset that you’re feeling like you’re just an inch away

feeling like you’re just an inch away

feeling like you’re just an inch away from having your cake here this is the

from having your cake here this is the

from having your cake here this is the new way it’s going to be you’re never

new way it’s going to be you’re never

new way it’s going to be you’re never going to do it seamlessly success comes

going to do it seamlessly success comes

going to do it seamlessly success comes with hatred now yeah it just comes with

with hatred now yeah it just comes with

with hatred now yeah it just comes with yeah that’s how we learn about things

yeah that’s how we learn about things

yeah that’s how we learn about things now then I write hey I’m John I just

now then I write hey I’m John I just

now then I write hey I’m John I just want to let you know that this feeling

want to let you know that this feeling

want to let you know that this feeling you’re having that you become successful

you’re having that you become successful

you’re having that you become successful but the world won’t stop hating on you

but the world won’t stop hating on you

but the world won’t stop hating on you this is not a broken version of success

this is not a broken version of success

this is not a broken version of success this is the new version of success I

this is the new version of success I

this is the new version of success I have a certain gene in my body that

have a certain gene in my body that

have a certain gene in my body that allows me to understand what someone

allows me to understand what someone

allows me to understand what someone else is saying when they say we want to

else is saying when they say we want to

else is saying when they say we want to sell a lot of these things like I don’t

sell a lot of these things like I don’t

sell a lot of these things like I don’t see selling a bunch of something as the

see selling a bunch of something as the

see selling a bunch of something as the opposite of it being interesting or

opposite of it being interesting or

opposite of it being interesting or important or meaningful

important or meaningful

important or meaningful I’ve always had

I’ve always had

I’ve always had I’ve always seen it from both sides you

I’ve always seen it from both sides you

I’ve always seen it from both sides you know and it’s a really interesting place

know and it’s a really interesting place

know and it’s a really interesting place that I’m in right now like I you do have

that I’m in right now like I you do have

that I’m in right now like I you do have to balance you know if you saw my iTunes

to balance you know if you saw my iTunes

to balance you know if you saw my iTunes playlist I could I could have a

playlist I could I could have a

playlist I could I could have a conversation with anybody at Stereogum

conversation with anybody at Stereogum

conversation with anybody at Stereogum or pitchfork you know but what I do with

or pitchfork you know but what I do with

or pitchfork you know but what I do with Columbia Records as the artist

Columbia Records as the artist

Columbia Records as the artist that I am with the records that I make

that I am with the records that I make

that I am with the records that I make under the contract

under the contract

under the contract that I have I’m taking all of my

that I have I’m taking all of my

that I have I’m taking all of my influences and I’m trying to convert

influences and I’m trying to convert

influences and I’m trying to convert them into pop music that’s my job right

them into pop music that’s my job right

them into pop music that’s my job right now it’s not the only thing I can do and

now it’s not the only thing I can do and

now it’s not the only thing I can do and it’s not the only thing I will do but as

it’s not the only thing I will do but as

it’s not the only thing I will do but as long as I’m still trying to make pop

long as I’m still trying to make pop

long as I’m still trying to make pop songs I want to play by pop rules you

songs I want to play by pop rules you

songs I want to play by pop rules you know III want to listen to top 20 and

know III want to listen to top 20 and

know III want to listen to top 20 and figure out what’s going on I don’t want

figure out what’s going on I don’t want

figure out what’s going on I don’t want to fall behind I’m trying to take all

to fall behind I’m trying to take all

to fall behind I’m trying to take all the elements of music that I love that

the elements of music that I love that

the elements of music that I love that I’m well versed in and convert them into

I’m well versed in and convert them into

I’m well versed in and convert them into music that a lot of people can get into

music that a lot of people can get into

music that a lot of people can get into I don’t know why I do that

I don’t know why I do that

I don’t know why I do that it’s a lot of people can’t a lot of

it’s a lot of people can’t a lot of

it’s a lot of people can’t a lot of people find the compromise maddening I

people find the compromise maddening I

people find the compromise maddening I see it as another challenge and I see it

see it as another challenge and I see it

see it as another challenge and I see it as another talent you know like the

as another talent you know like the

as another talent you know like the ultimate talent of restraint who in here

ultimate talent of restraint who in here

ultimate talent of restraint who in here thinks that the public is mostly done

thinks that the public is mostly done

thinks that the public is mostly done you think the public is mostly done let

you think the public is mostly done let

you think the public is mostly done let me tell you something the public is

me tell you something the public is

me tell you something the public is about 300 million times smarter than you

about 300 million times smarter than you

about 300 million times smarter than you public is not done for those of you said

public is not done for those of you said

public is not done for those of you said yes I want to be a pop star yes I would

yes I want to be a pop star yes I would

yes I want to be a pop star yes I would like to have a record deal yes I’d like

like to have a record deal yes I’d like

like to have a record deal yes I’d like to make this happen first thing you

to make this happen first thing you

to make this happen first thing you should know is that the public is always

should know is that the public is always

should know is that the public is always smarter than you if you put a song out

smarter than you if you put a song out

smarter than you if you put a song out you go that’s it that’s it watch it go

you go that’s it that’s it watch it go

you go that’s it that’s it watch it go like whew stand back everybody stand

like whew stand back everybody stand

like whew stand back everybody stand back it’s going to be a hit it’s going

back it’s going to be a hit it’s going

back it’s going to be a hit it’s going to be a hit it’s going to be a hit and

to be a hit it’s going to be a hit and

to be a hit it’s going to be a hit and it goes like this who is smarter than

it goes like this who is smarter than

it goes like this who is smarter than who your big smart pop song went nowhere

who your big smart pop song went nowhere

who your big smart pop song went nowhere the public just told you they’re smarter

the public just told you they’re smarter

the public just told you they’re smarter than you on that one because you said

than you on that one because you said

than you on that one because you said you had it and they said I don’t think

you had it and they said I don’t think

you had it and they said I don’t think so and you didn’t have it so they’re

so and you didn’t have it so they’re

so and you didn’t have it so they’re smarter than you

smarter than you

smarter than you that’s what you have to deal with

that’s what you have to deal with

that’s what you have to deal with they’re smarter here’s where the public

they’re smarter here’s where the public

they’re smarter here’s where the public is smarter than you I wanted a song

is smarter than you I wanted a song

is smarter than you I wanted a song called come back to bed I thought it was

called come back to bed I thought it was

called come back to bed I thought it was going to be huge I thought it could

going to be huge I thought it could

going to be huge I thought it could change people’s minds about stuff no I’m

change people’s minds about stuff no I’m

change people’s minds about stuff no I’m gonna make you like stuff you don’t like

gonna make you like stuff you don’t like

gonna make you like stuff you don’t like because it’s good enough I don’t know

because it’s good enough I don’t know

because it’s good enough I don’t know about that and the song didn’t work and

about that and the song didn’t work and

about that and the song didn’t work and I was disheartened and then they said

I was disheartened and then they said

I was disheartened and then they said what about daughters you put daughters

what about daughters you put daughters

what about daughters you put daughters out now

out now

out now I had thought again public smarter than

I had thought again public smarter than

I had thought again public smarter than me I thought but that’s just this little

me I thought but that’s just this little

me I thought but that’s just this little song that lives on the record that’s

song that lives on the record that’s

song that lives on the record that’s like track eight it’s track nine it’s

like track eight it’s track nine it’s

like track eight it’s track nine it’s come when you discovered three months

come when you discovered three months

come when you discovered three months saying like oh this is here and they

saying like oh this is here and they

saying like oh this is here and they said no they’ve researched it they

said no they’ve researched it they

said no they’ve researched it they really want this to go I think it can be

really want this to go I think it can be

really want this to go I think it can be a hit and I was like I don’t want it to

a hit and I was like I don’t want it to

a hit and I was like I don’t want it to be a hit I would rather not have a hit

be a hit I would rather not have a hit

be a hit I would rather not have a hit with this song because this song is

with this song because this song is

with this song because this song is going to take me forever as sensitive

going to take me forever as sensitive

going to take me forever as sensitive songwriter god I gave myself sort of a

songwriter god I gave myself sort of a

songwriter god I gave myself sort of a three strikes in your out room and I

three strikes in your out room and I

three strikes in your out room and I thought daughters would have been

thought daughters would have been

thought daughters would have been somewhat of the third strike the worst

somewhat of the third strike the worst

somewhat of the third strike the worst thing I could have ever thought it was

thing I could have ever thought it was

thing I could have ever thought it was being the artist where they go the

being the artist where they go the

being the artist where they go the record company says look you give us the

record company says look you give us the

record company says look you give us the three we want and you know we want and

three we want and you know we want and

three we want and you know we want and you can do whatever you want to do I’m

you can do whatever you want to do I’m

you can do whatever you want to do I’m sure there’s some songs on Nickelback

sure there’s some songs on Nickelback

sure there’s some songs on Nickelback records at Nickelback love’s somewhere

records at Nickelback love’s somewhere

records at Nickelback love’s somewhere in the back there nine ten eleven I’m

in the back there nine ten eleven I’m

in the back there nine ten eleven I’m sure we got to imagine got to imagine

sure we got to imagine got to imagine

sure we got to imagine got to imagine there’s there’s ones on the setlist when

there’s there’s ones on the setlist when

there’s there’s ones on the setlist when they get up to it they’re like I can’t

they get up to it they’re like I can’t

they get up to it they’re like I can’t wait to play this one thank God I was

wait to play this one thank God I was

wait to play this one thank God I was able to write those other three that I

able to write those other three that I

able to write those other three that I know they needed and I don’t mind making

know they needed and I don’t mind making

know they needed and I don’t mind making but okay you know so I say please I get

but okay you know so I say please I get

but okay you know so I say please I get on the phone with Don einer at the time

on the phone with Don einer at the time

on the phone with Don einer at the time was I think sort of just the head of

was I think sort of just the head of

was I think sort of just the head of Allmusic

Allmusic

Allmusic and I said how you can’t do it Donny you

and I said how you can’t do it Donny you

and I said how you can’t do it Donny you realize if I do this I’m going to be

realize if I do this I’m going to be

realize if I do this I’m going to be sensitive singer-songwriter guy for the

sensitive singer-songwriter guy for the

sensitive singer-songwriter guy for the rest of my life and I’m too young too

rest of my life and I’m too young too

rest of my life and I’m too young too young to be anything but a guy who can

young to be anything but a guy who can

young to be anything but a guy who can put out whatever he wants it’s a fine

put out whatever he wants it’s a fine

put out whatever he wants it’s a fine fine you know I get it I get it we won’t

fine you know I get it I get it we won’t

fine you know I get it I get it we won’t put it out if you don’t want moving it

put it out if you don’t want moving it

put it out if you don’t want moving it out and it made it out I don’t know how

out and it made it out I don’t know how

out and it made it out I don’t know how it leaked but how upset can I be because

it leaked but how upset can I be because

it leaked but how upset can I be because of one song of the year that year for

of one song of the year that year for

of one song of the year that year for some daughters thank you so much for

some daughters thank you so much for

some daughters thank you so much for watching I made this video because mini

watching I made this video because mini

watching I made this video because mini I asked me to I hope I pronounced that

I asked me to I hope I pronounced that

I asked me to I hope I pronounced that properly so if there’s a famous

properly so if there’s a famous

properly so if there’s a famous entrepreneur that you want me to profile

entrepreneur that you want me to profile

entrepreneur that you want me to profile next leave it in the comments below and

next leave it in the comments below and

next leave it in the comments below and I’ll see what I can do

I’ll see what I can do

I’ll see what I can do I’d also love to know which of John

I’d also love to know which of John

I’d also love to know which of John Mayer’s top ten rules meant the most to

Mayer’s top ten rules meant the most to

Mayer’s top ten rules meant the most to you who had the biggest impact leave it

you who had the biggest impact leave it

you who had the biggest impact leave it in the comments below and I’ll join in

in the comments below and I’ll join in

in the comments below and I’ll join in the discussion thank you so much for

the discussion thank you so much for

the discussion thank you so much for watching

watching

watching continue to believe and I’ll see you

continue to believe and I’ll see you

continue to believe and I’ll see you soon

”

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